LONDON, Sept 15, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Tens of thousands of mourners, some waiting
through the night, queued for hours Thursday to pay their last respects to
Queen Elizabeth II on the first full day of her coffin lying in state.
Britain's longest-serving monarch, who died a week ago aged 96 after 70 years
on the throne, is at rest in Westminster Hall ahead of Monday's state funeral
at neighbouring Westminster Abbey.
After lining up for two days, the first public mourners were allowed into the
vast mediaeval hall late Wednesday afternoon, following the coffin's
ceremonial procession through the packed streets of central London from
Buckingham Palace.
Since then, a steady stream of people has continued to file past the queen's
casket, with thousands waiting through the night for their chance to say
farewell to the country's figurehead.
Her casket, mounted on a platform, is draped in the Royal Standard flag and
bearing the Imperial State Crown plus her ceremonial Orb and Sceptre, with
tall, flickering candles standing at each corner.
"It was very beautiful, moving," said Sarah Mellor, noting it was also very
quiet inside the cavernous hall, the oldest part of Britain's centuries-old
parliament.
"There is the sense of history here," added the visibly moved Mellor, who had
queued for seven hours.
The sombre atmosphere was completed with guards in ceremonial uniform posted
around the podium in a constant vigil.
One fainted overnight, in a sign of the toll standing vigil can take.
- 'Real Charles fan' -
All Britain's national newspapers carried poignant pictures of the historic
scene on their covers.
"Nation's turn to say farewell," the Daily Telegraph headlined on its front
page.
Mourners marked their moment in front of the coffin in various ways, from
bows or curtsies to the sign of the cross or by simply removing their hats.
Some wiped away tears with tissues. Others brought infants in pushchairs. Old
soldiers stopped and gave one last salute to their former commander-in-chief.
The coffin had been taken to parliament from Buckingham Palace Wednesday to
the strains of a military band playing funeral marches.
King Charles III led the royal family in procession behind a horse-drawn gun
carriage bearing the casket.
Parliament's Big Ben bell tolled out each minute as the casket passed in
front of hushed crowds lining the route, ahead of the lying-in-state
beginning at 5:00 pm (1600 GMT).
By late morning Thursday, the queue had grown to 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres)
along the south bank of the Thames river, with people set to wait through the
day to see the late sovereign.
Organisers have prepared up to 10 miles of queuing infrastructure, with
expectations hundreds of thousands will participate, in particular over the
weekend.
Musician Jacqui Smith, among those in line overnight, was sad but
enthusiastic about the reign of the new king.
"I've been waiting for it for a long time," she told AFP from Lambeth Bridge,
within sight of Westminster Hall. "I love the queen, but I'm a real Charles
fan."
- Royal visits -
After nearly 110 hours lying-in-state and 10 full days of national mourning,
the commemorations for the queen will culminate with her state funeral
Monday.
Before that, senior royals are continuing to visit places around the country.
On Thursday, William and wife Kate travel to Sandringham, the family's
private winter retreat in eastern England to view the floral tributes left by
members of the public at the Norwich Gates.
Charles, 73, was crowned Prince of Wales by his mother in 1958 and on his
first full day as monarch Friday bestowed the title on his eldest son.
The historic title has been given to the heir apparent since the start of the
14th century.
Thursday's visit will be the first official engagement conducted by the new
Prince and Princess of Wales.
Meanwhile Elizabeth's youngest son Prince Edward, 58, and his wife Sophie,
visit Manchester in northwest England to view the civic book of condolence at
the city's central library.
They were also viewing the floral tributes in St Ann's Square and meet
members of the public who are volunteering at the site, and light a candle in
memory of the queen at Manchester Cathedral.
The late monarch's elaborate funeral will see hundreds of world leaders and
global royalty pack the historic Westminster Abbey in the heart of the
British capital.
US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australia's
leader Anthony Albanese and France's Emmanuel Macron have all confirmed their
attendance, as have Japan's Emperor Naruhito and numerous other royals.